WillTravel

I am thinking of going more upscale for New Year's Eve in Florence and then maybe switching back to lower-budget accommodations for the remaining three nights. I found a Utell rate of 70 Euros per night for this hotel (on the Utell site and several other sites).
Description of hotel here: http://www.venere.com/hotel/?lg=en&htid=3826
Would this be a reasonable location for New Year's Eve? It's supposed to be a 4* hotel, but I know that stars are not necessarily indicative. TripAdvisor and Venere reviews are mostly good.

WillTravel

ttt

l_jackson95814

I think the Grand Majestic is next to the train station.

isabel

It is right in front of the train station. I stayed at a small hotel only about a block from there this summer but on a much quieter street (via fiume). I have no problem staying near the train station, I really liked my location, but I'm glad I was on the side street and not the main square which the Majestic is on. A city bus stop was right in front of the hoetl. I can't say what it's like inside but I walked by it everyday and was not impressed by the exterior or location. Now whether they have a New Year's Party or something is a different story. It certainly looked large enough for that kind of thing if they do that in Italy.

Margie

We stayed here as part of a tour 4 years ago. I remember the hotel's location was fine, we walked to many sites from there and I don't recall feeling unsafe etc., and the train station didn't seem to be an issue. Maybe someone who has stayed there more recently than I can chime in and comment on how the area is now. The exterior is not impressive, but that shouldn't effect the quality of your stay. The hotel was very clean, and the staff was friendly, and the coffee was very very good . It is not a fancy, nor particularly "charming" property, but certainly adequate. I would say it's more of a 3* than a 4.

nonnafelice

It was 10 years ago that we stayed at the Grand Hotel Majestic -- the one thing I remember most about our double room is that it had two bathrooms! (And so did the rooms of the two other couples we were traveling with.) One bathroom had a very small stall shower and the other had a tub.

The hotel was fine -- rather anonymous and lacking in charm, but perfectly comfortable.

WillTravel

Thanks for the info everyone. I have now booked a convent for all four nights of my stay. However, I was wondering if I would miss anything significant by not being out and about for whatever Florence does for New Year's celebrations. The convent has a curfew of 23:00.

But given that I never go to New Year's parties anyway and I don't really celebrate it in any way, I can't imagine that I would feel a need to start doing so in Florence where I won't know anyone. If there is something extraordinary that goes on, I'd consider it.

I do think this particular price is a good deal in any event. My guess is that the hotel generally caters to tour groups, but at that particular time it is almost empty so it offers lower rates.

NewOrleansGrammie

Stayed at the Grand Hotel Majestic in Florence. Be sure you don't let them put you in a room overlooking the street. The locals whoop it up on the way to the train station late into the night. The hotel was fine except for the location of our room